A Shawhead youngster is made up after coming third in a top national beauty contest.

What
makes the St Bernard’s Primary pupil’s achievement even more notable is
that this marked her first ever trip down the catwalk.

Mum
Ashleigh and around 40 members of Kayden Leigh’s family travelled to Glasgow’s Pond Hotel for the finals to give their support.

Ashleigh, 24, told the Advertiser: “Kayden Leigh really enjoyed herself at the finals and had great fun.

“We were all surprised by how relaxed she was.

“She did a ballet performance for her competition talent and the four judges loved it.

“It took the judges a long time to decide on the winners so it was tense.

“The moment they announced Kayden Leigh as second runner-up her face just lit up and she was over the moon.

“We’re shocked she got so far, especially considering this was her first ever beauty pageant.”

Kayden
Leigh raised over £200 for the Miss Scotland Cutest Kid’s chosen charity, the Motherless Child Foundation, through sponsorship from her family and friends.

Her sparkling efforts in the competition will see her move forward to try and grasp further crowning glory.

Ashleigh
said: “By finishing second runner-up in Miss Scotland Cutest Kid, Kayden has automatically qualified for the Scottish Pageant Awards in May and will also be taking part in Miss Little Scotland in June.

“We
hope her fledgling modelling career can keep going from strength to strength. She’s singing and dancing all the time too so she is a multi-talented wee girl.

“Kayden Leigh is very creative and I’m sure she will shine on stage, no matter what she does.”